Artificial teeth



Jan. 30, 1951 M. ZILINSKI ARTIFICIAL TEETH Filed Aug. 28, 1948 IIYVEZVTOR. Mc/zaeZ Finns/Q0 m M M Patented Jan. 30, 1951 Q UNITED STATES OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates, in general, to artificial teeth, and may be characterized as an improvement in the preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 793,677, filed December 24, 1947.

According to my above mentioned copending application, the preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches each comprises a full set of artificial teeth for the adjacent jaws. The teeth of each arch are in occlusion to each other (i. e., positioned in proper relation to the ridges which accommodate the respective arches, as well as in proper relation to the teeth in the opposing arch), and are rigidly joined into rigid unitary arches with the gingival ends of the teeth of each arch exposed and adapted to be joined as a unit to a denture base.

My prior invention simplifies tooth arrangement constantly and uniformly to obtain the most desirable functional relationship of the upper and lower arches to one another, because each arch is rigid and composed of fourteen teeth, and the teethespecially the posterior teethbeing preset in correct anatomical and functional relationship, the necessity of skill on the technicians part in setting the fourteen teeth of each arch is avoided.

However, my prior invention does not lend itself to possible changes that may be required, particularly on the anterior teeth. Moreover, my prior invention does not lend itself as well as might be desired to producing the posterior teeth in sections of porcelain or other suitable material to provide better wearing surfaces for the posterior teeth, with the anterior teeth formed of plastic materialsuch as a synthetic resinor other material different from the posterior tooth material, for example, to improve the bond between them and the denture base, lighten the weight of the anterior teeth, eliminate the click in masticating or talking, and simplify the production of the anterior teeth.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches of construction which will lend themselves to production of posterior teeth in predetermined occlusal relation; also to possible changes that may be required, particularly on the anterior teeth, and to production by highly skilled dental technicians of anterior sections of highest quality esthetics.

Another object of the invention is to provide preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches of construction which will lend themselves to production of the posterior teeth in sections of porcelain or other suitable material to provide better wearing surfaces for the posterior teeth, with the anterior teeth formed of plastic material such as synthetic resin or other material different from the posterior tooth material, for example, to improve the bond between them and the denture base, lighten the weight of the anterior teeth, eliminate the click in masticating or talking, and simplify the production of the anterior teeth.

Another and more general object of the invention is to provide preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches having posterior teeth, bicuspid and molars, in occlusion, formed of porcelain or other suitable material to provide better wearing surfaces for the posterior teeth, and anterior teeth formed of plastic material such as synthetic resin or other material different from the posterior tooth material.

Another object of the invention is to provide preformed anatomical and mechanical maxilla and mandible tooth arches each comprising a full set of rigidly joined posterior teeth at each side, the posterior teeth for both arches being in occlusion to each other, with separate anterior partial arches having full sets of anterior teeth, and means at contiguous ends of the anterior and posterior arches for securing the anterior arches to the posterior arches in correct anatomical and functional relationship.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of upper and lower tooth arches embodying the present invention, showing the same properly articulated;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper tooth arch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lower tooth arch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper partial arch portion formed by the posterior teeth;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the separate upper partial arch portion formed by the anterior teeth;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail section taken on the line 66 of Figure 2; and V Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section through thefront of the upper tooth arch, showing the same applied to a denture base.

Referring now to the drawing, Figure 1 shows at i an upper or maxilla preformed anatomical and mechanical tooth arch embodying the present invention, and, at 2, a lower or mandible preformed anatomical and mechanical tooth arch embodying the invention properly articulated with frespect'to thearch I.

The upper tooth arch I comp-rises a full set of eight posterior teeth 3, bicuspid and molars four at each sidepreformed in proper anatomical and mechanical relation and rigidly joined at 4 into an upper rigid unitary partialtooth arch. The upper tooth arch i also includesa separate anterior arch 5 having six anterior teeth 6 rigidly joined together into an upper 'rigid unitary anterior tooth arch. The contiguous endsFof the posterior and anterior partial arches have means forsecuring the anteriorarches to tl'ieposterior arches in correct anatomical and functional re lationship. The anterior teeth S may thus be made pi riou m l s s ze a es a will fit into a certain; series of arches. This will e abl dentis qri abor iwy t 'y a o s ty of anterior teethwith various occluded posterior rtial. t t rche nd qfas cn t e s e e anterior tooth arch to the partial posterior tooth nch ith w qh ti tab'e sd- Then eans atcontiguous ends ofthe'posterior and anterior partial arches for securing the anterior arches to the-partial posterior arches in correct anatomical f and: functional relationship may varywidely within the scope of the present invention. Asillu'strative bf one suitable means, the first bicuspid teethar'e'shown having recesses 1 which .rec'eive'and fit projections '8 extending from various anterior sets "of six teeth "each. Various anterior sets' ofteth may be tried by inserting the 'pr-ojeeti'o'ns' 8 thereof into the recesses 'lf'ajn'd 'po's oning"the'anterior 'setsof teeth in correct "anatomical "and functional relationship with. respect to the posterior teeth. When the anterior tooth arch, whiclalitis desired touse, is selectedthe projections} are cemented or otherwise secured in place in' the'recesses l. "The pins '8 "may 'be cemented or otherwise securedin the ends of" the anteriorarch part, preferably" in parallel relation as shown," or they may be formed -integral with 'the ends ofthe ante o r hi rt' r. ot ise p d et It'is tobe' understofodfithat the recesses maybe-in the "ends of the'anterior arch-part and the pins on the posterior arch part; and that 'other forms of means for joining the arch'parts may "be employed within the scope'of the present invention. The lower' tooth arch" 2 similarly comprises a full set of eight posterior teethtj'bisc'uspid and molars, four at each sidegpreformed'in proper anatomical and mechanical relation and rigidly joined at lfl into a lower rigid-unitary partial tooth arch. Both the upper and lower archesand particularlythe posterior teeth thereof-are in'occlusion to eachother. w i The lower tooth arch 2 also includes a separate anterior tooth arch ll having six anterior teeth I 2 rigidly joined together 'at l3 into a lower rigid unitary anterior tooth f'arc h. The contiguous ends of the posterior andjanterior lower partial arches have'means 'for securing the anterior arches to the posterior arches in correct anatomical and functional relationship. As irithe case ofthe upper anterior teeth-'6; the'lower anterior teeth 12 may be'made'up invarious molds, sizes and styles, and will-fit 'into' a'cer'tain series of arches. This will enable a dentist or laboratory thelow'er partial arch are shown having recesses I 4 which fit projections I5 extending from various anterior sets of six teeth each. As with the upper arch, various anterior sets of lower teeth can be tried by'inserting the projections l5 thereof into the recesses M and positioning the lower anterior sets of teeth in correct anatomical and functional relationship with respect to the lower posterior teeth. When the lower anterior tootlrarchwhich it is desired to use is selected, the projections 15 are cemented or otherwise secured inplaceiirthe recesses M.

In making the upper andlower partial posterior tooth arches of the present invention, master patterns are made corresponding withthetooth arches which it is desired to form. The manipulative details of obtaining the desired'anatomic'al and mechanical relationship ofthe-tooth portions of the master pattern, and occlusion of'tiiear'che's to each other, are well known to those 'sk illed' 'in theart and will not' be described; the pres'ent invention'not being concerned-specifically therewith. The master patterns 'may be formed of artificial stone, metal, or any other suitableo'r preferredpattern'material.

Upon completion of the master patterns, they are used, for examplejto form 'molds having cavities in Which the preformed anatomical and mechanical partial posterior tooth arches are formed. Suitable methods for forming molds having such cavities are also wellknownto those skilled in the art, and theywill' n'Ot be described in detail, the present invention not being concerned specifically therewith.

The separate anterior'tooth archesmayalso be made by first making "master patterns corresponding with the anterior arches'whichitiis desired to form, and'us'ing thesexpa'tterns to form molds having cavities in which the'preformed anatomical and mechanical anterior arches are formed, as described in connection With'the -formation of "the posterior tooth arches. "The anterior archesmaybe made in various-molds, sizes and styles, tofit into'a certain-series of posterior arches for the purposes-previously-described. 'It is to be understood of course, that the upper and loweranterior arches may'alsobe in occlusion to each other if desired.

Where the preformed' anatomical and'mechanicalanterior arches are formed of resinous material, this material-may be-i-ntrodu'cedinto the mold'cavities and molded and-cured to the form of the desired anterior'arch comprising six anterior teeth for'anadjacent jawand in which all or" the anterior teeth-of the arch are rigidly joined together 'into "a rigid -unitarystructure by the tooth material.

Where the preformed anatomical-and mechanical-posterior arches are-formecl-of resinous material, they maybe formed, for example, in the manner described in connection with the -formation of the anterior arches. I contemplate, however, within the scope of the present invention forming the posterior teeth of the posterior arches in porcelain sections in order to provide better wearing surfaces for the posterior teeth, yet retaining the advantages of the arches themselves. These posterior partial arches may then be adapted, by recesses, pins, or the like, to be attached to the six anterior plastic or resinous teeth. This provides better wearing surfaces for the posterior teeth, and with the anterior teeth formed of plastic or resinous materialsuch as synthetic resin or other material different from the posterior tooth material-improves the bond between the anterior teeth and the denture base, lightens the weight of the anterior teeth, eliminates the click in masticating or talking, and simplifies the production of the anterior teeth.

The manufacturer, in providing these preformed anatomical and mechanical tooth arches, will provide the preformed posterior arches in a plurality of different shapes and a plurality of different sizes for each shape; also, if desired, covering the several typal forms of teeth and different shades. He will also provide the anterior arches in various molds, sizes, and styles to fit into a certain series of posterior arches. With these available from the manufacturer, or, for example, from the dental laboratory or distributor, it becomes only necessary for the dentist or technician to order the arches, for example, by size, mold number, and shade number of the teeth. Where a dental laboratory or distributor is at hand, the dentist may take his model to such laboratory or distributor and immediately select the posterior tooth arches desired and the anterior tooth arches which he prefers to use therewith.

The making up of the preformed anatomical and mechanical posterior arches of different sizes and different contours provides for adaptation to most mouth contours and sizes, and, with the teeth of the arch rigidly joined into a rigid unitary structure, distortion of the arch from the original typal form given it in its manufacture is avoided in transportation and handling the arches. This is important because it assures maintenance at all times of the proper preformed anatomical and mechanical relation of the teeth. Moreover, in applying the tooth arches to the denture bases, there is no bending of the tooth set-ups to fit them to the desired configuration which would distort the original preformed ana tomical and mechanical set-up given to the teeth in making the arch.

The same features and advantages are also present in the rigid anterior tooth arches.

The present invention simplifies tooth arrangement constantly and uniformly to obtain the most desirable functioning relationship of the upper and lower arches to one another because the arches are rigid, and the teethespecially the posterior teethbeing set in correct ana-. tomical and functional relationship, the necessity for skill on the technicians part is eliminated. Heretofore it has been necessary for the tech nicians to set the fourteen teeth in each arch individually, which requires considerable skill and considerable expenditure of time and not always results in the best possible end result from the standpoint of function.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, lateral bracing means is provided between the sides of the partial posterior arches for maintaining the desired rigidity of the arches and the desired relation of the teeth after the arch is completed. The bracing means for the upper posterior partial arch, as shown in Figures 2 and.

4, is in the form of a generally H-shaped truss or brace having its leg is extending laterally between the rearwardmost posterior teeth 3 and its other leg I? extending laterally between the forwardmost posterior or bicuspid teeth. The ends of the legs it and I? of the bracing structure are formed integral with the teeth at opposite sides of the arch, and the connecting piece I8 between the intermediate portions of the legs 16 and I! is formed integral with said legs l6 and H.

The bracing structure may be molded as an integral part of the partial posterior arch in the formation thereof. The connecting piece 18 of the bracing structure is shown of flat form and is adapted to carry, for example, the mold number and shade number or other data identifying the size and shape of the arch, and, if desired, the color and form of the teeth as well as the name of the product and the manufac-" turer.

The bracing structure for the lower partial posterior arch is similar to the bracing structure for the upper arch, and the parts thereof are designated in Figure 3 by primed reference characters corresponding with the reference characters used in Figures 2 and 4 for designating the parts of the bracing structure for the upper partial posterior arch.

Where the bracing structure described is employed, it may be removed from the arch, for example, by cutting the ends of the laterally extending legs of the brace orv truss from the adjacent teeth at the time the denture base is molded or joined to the gingival ends of the teeth to form the plate or denture with the set up teeth and the base formed to fit the patients mouth. While in place, the brace not only maintains the desired rigidity of the posterior partial arch and the desired relation of the teeth and prevents breakage, particularly in transporting and handling the arches, but it also prevents warpage during storage, especially where the rigidly joined teeth are made of synthetic resin material.

In using the preformed arches in making a denture, the set up may be obtained by first adapting a hard base plate-such as shellac or other suitable materialto the model which has been obtained in the usual manner from the impressionfrom the patients mouth. Next, wax is applied over the ridge area of the adapted base plate against which will be secured the preformed arch comprising the posterior partial arch, with the anterior arch secured thereto by means of hot Wax. The set up may then be pressed in the patients mouth for a try-in to check the aesthetic as well as the occlusal relationships, the wax permitting some adjustment. After the desired aesthetic and occlusal relationships are secured, the trial plates are referred back to the models, and after securing them to the models and completing the waxing operation they are processed in the usual manner-that is, by investing the model with the waxed up and preformed arches applied thereto. The Wax is then eliminated, for example, by boiling out in the usual way, and the resin material for the denture base is introduced into the cavity and molded to the preformed arch. In forming the base of the denture shown at is in Figure 7, the teeth (where they are formed of resin material) maybe softened alcng the gingival ends, but on account of the preformed and ri id relationship 7 of :the arch :there is -no distortioii .of the archin the application :of the base to it, the investin material preventing any possibility of distortion.

The preformed arches, and particularly the preformed partial posterior arches, are made to dimensions arrived at, for example, by measuring a model taken vfrom an impression :of the jaw so that the arch can be selected which will :fit directly :overthe ridge of the slower-,model. 'The upper :model and archiare placed in articulation with the opposing lower preformed :a-rch. These arches, when attached to .bases molded to fit models made from impressions taken by dentists of sedentulous patientszupper and lower jaws, enable .a :dentist or dental laboratory technician ito create comfortable, :natural appearing restorations for .the purpose :of replacing;natural:teeth which have been ilost.

'Thearches, and :particularly the partial posterior. arches, are: arrangedianatomically. and mechemically so that the cusps balance throughout both sets during lateral and protrusive movement. This is obtained by the antero-posterior cunvexof "the .occlusa'l'surfacesiknown .-.as the compensating :curve. This makes possible greater stability.

:The'teeth'on the arches a1-'e.-prefer.ably narrow buccolingually so as to apply iless'lload to the underlying tissues, :and consequently eliminate excessive resorption. @They are also preferably made with full length lingual surfaces, thereby eliminating excessive thickness of completed dentures-on palatal and lingual areas, allowing for greater tongue room, natural environment, and .no :speech interference.

:The arches have .a tooth arrangement with better aesthetics than most dental laboratory technicians can obtain by .setting up individual teeth. This is'because the .original set ups may bemade byrhighly skilled vtechinicians, and the rigidity of the arches maintains the tooth arrangement at all times. The arches may have atooth arrangement enabling the dental laboratory technician to .set up the teeth to an equal height on each side and with both sides parallel to a line through :the centers of the pupils .of the eyes. They can be set into position faster and better than 28 individual teeth, and they can beset up on either plane line or adjustable articulators.

Moreoven'the .arches of the present invention provide and preservea maximum of .masticating efiiciencytbecause there .is :no occasion to grind or mutilate cusps on the-arches under any circumstances. "The arches provide greater security for the teeth after processing and eliminate the danger of'zmovement of individual teeth during processing. -They-make it possible 'to supply anatomical articulation on all dentures constructed with :the arches. The articulation may be worked out to'perfection in the master patterns by technicians .of outstanding ability, and the dentures with the use of the arches can be made without requiring that the technicians performing thatwork have. as'great ability. It is possible to efiecta saving ;in-'skil1ed techincians labor as compared to the time required for settingup and articulating individual teeth.

in addition, there is a defiinate time and labor saving to the dentists inwthat' the arches have a tendency to eliminate spot grinding to the occlusion of the mouth. The archesrmay be tried in the patientsmouth -for checking aesthetics, harmonyof tooth :form, size of teeth, and aran ement, andh yneed not be. supplied-ices 8 many shades as ar requir d for individual teet used on identures.

E-fhe embodim nt of he invent on sh wn the drawin .is ii or l us ra pu po e .0 .a .d it is to be expressly un s oo t sa dr wingand-the accompanying specification are not to :be ,-.construed as a e.finition of the limits or scope of th invention, reference being had to the appended cl ims :for that purpose.

Lelaim:

Re d -ma m xi a an mandibl ooth archeseach comprising a set of posterior teeth ateach :side, the posterior teethiofeach setbaing in'occlusion to each other and permanently and rig-id y joined together along contiguous mesial and distal sides of the teeth by the tooth material, a separate anterior partial .tooth arch having a set of anterior teeth, the anterior teeth of .said anterior partial tooth arch being .:directly andrigidly .joined together along contiguous ,mesial and distal .sidcs of the teeth by-thetooth material, the lingual surfacesv of said posterior and anterior teethfollowingthe anatomy-of natural teeth throughout substantially theirv entire .extent, and means formed directly onimcsial and distal sides .of the toothbodies of contiguous posterior and -anterior teeth for securing said anterior tooth arch to said posterior tooth .arches in correct anatomical and functional relationship .and against relative up. and downmovement.

2. Ready--made maxilla andv mandible tooth archesacoording to claim 1 wherein the-means for securing :the anterior tooth arch to the posterior -tooth arches comprises a recess formed directly in the-tooth body ofone of each pair of contiguous posterior and anterior teeth anda projection: formed directly on the tooth body of the-other of each pair of contiguous posterior and anterior teethand-adapted to be fixedly secured insaidrecesses.

SUReady-made maxilla and mandible tooth arches according to claim 1 wherein the posterior teeth are formed of porcelain-like material and the anterior teeth are formed of resinous material whereby .to provide better wearing ,surfacesfor the. posterior teeth and less cliokand weight ,along the anterior teeth combined ,withimproved bond along the anterior teethwhen the..arches-are applied to denture bases 'iormedof resinous material.

4. i a ne a t c 2 wm ufaeh e formed anatomical and mechanical;;tooth arch structure coinprising at least two sets of posterior teeth .onezfor each .side of the .arch structure, .each. set -.o1v posterior teeth comprising a pluralityaof aposterior teeth permanently .and rigidly joined' togetherby the tooth material, means -'1ormed directly on the mesial side of the forwardrnostiooth of eachset of posterior teeth for-securing an anterior tooth arch to the forwardends ofsaid sets of posterior teeth and againstupanddown movement relative thereto, and bracing ,means extending laterally between thesets of posterior teeth with the opposite ends ofsaidbracing ,means joined directly and inteerall to the lingual surfaces of theposterior teeth of the respectivesetsof posterior teeth.

.,5. A preformed anatomical and mechanical tooth arch. structure,according to claim 4 wherein thesetsof posteriorteethv and the bracing means are molded integrally together and of the same, mat rial. I

10 6. A preformed anatomical and mechanical 1. UNITED STATES PATENTS tooth arch structure according to claim 4 wherein um Name D at the bracing means is of generally H-shaped con- 4 305 Brookes et a1 July 10 1923 figuratim' 1 692 928 Cla n pp et a1 Nov. 27, 1928 MICHAEL ZILINSKI- 5 1,814,717 Maizner 1 July 14, 1931 1 924 265 Wharton Aug. 29, 1933 REFERENCES CITED 21457529 Busby D 23, 1943 The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

